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May 27, 2015DaisyCosh rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Published in 1850, "The Scarlet Letter" follows Hester Prynne, a new mom who is besmirched after having an affair with one of the ministers in her judgmental New England town. She faces ostracism and is socially repressed for years. Will her lover face the music or will her life fall apart before he comes clean? You'll have to read it to find out. "The Scarlet Letter" was penned at a time when adultery was virtually criminal, but it leaves a message that is way beyond its years. The feminist qualities are admirable. Hester remained strong and self-assured, no matter what happened to her. Acknowledging this strength in a woman is unique, especially considering author Nathaniel Hawthorne's bland treatment of the usual prying and gossip-mongering ladies in town. There's a rich history of misogyny that runs in a vein through New England; the gender rights imbalance is most evident during the nasty witch-hunts, something "The Scarlet Letter" touches upon without shying away. The story ends sadly a few chapters before the end with the death of a major character that I didn't see coming (and I won't tell you who it is!), but the final chapter concludes the book perfectly. It ties up all loose ends, letting the reader know how other characters' lives turned out. It feels triumphant, giving the idea that people are constantly evolving. This growth is important -- something that was once considered sinful by everyone in those days is no longer considered such a terrible thing. However, the sorrow and pain inflicted throughout this novel may be off-putting for some readers. It seems that happiness doesn't exist in "The Scarlet Letter," unless you are a child. Unfortunately, these lows are what give the story such impact. Though it isn't a happy read, it has a deeper message of female empowerment in the end. Its protagonist suffers the fate of a pariah, but emerges as a self-sufficient hero in her Puritanical hometown. "The Scarlet Letter" is easily one of the best novels of the nineteenth century and arguably one of the best of all time. Without question, it is one of my favourite books.